The prospect of a “mass” influx of refugees caused by a potential European war is among key risks facing Ireland, the first government risk assessment carried out in four years has said.
The National Risk Assesment (NRA), published by the Department of Defence on Thursday, revealed that the government views such a risk as “very likely.”
Flagging concern about the impact the influx of refugees would have on the economy, the assessment lists “Mass inward population displacement” as a major potential risk to Ireland.
The assessment cautions that the “reasonable worst-case scenario” is a “mass inward population influx, paired with “an increase in international protection applicants, impacting the carrying capacity of the economy”.
The assessment also reflects current pressures on the State, caused by the number of refugees currently living in Ireland – including more than 80,000 Ukrainians – and the surge in the number of interparional protection applicants. The record-breaking numbers of people arriving in Ireland “underlines the importance of social cohesion and integration efforts,” a supporting document notes.
A survey of members of the Irish…
